San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-09-12
CHAPTER XVI.


The first flash of the storm came upon me
one day as was sitting in the morning
room, the pleasant little room where spent
most of my time now with Lady Martin,
Hilda, and Annis had been reading but
the book lay unheeded on my knee; had
broken off to watch blackbird on the lawn,
and had noticed at the same time that al
ready the lime-trees were growing golden in
tint and the chrysanthemums were coming
into bloom. And as gazed out on the ter
race pOndered the wonderful thought that
all saw was mine-the room, the house
and looked round at the dainty pictures
and the furniture and the japanese knick-
knacks-mine only In trust for Gilbert, but
mine as its mistress when IL was Gilbert's.
thought how good Providence had been to
mellow wonderful, how strange to have
given me so grand and true and noble a
lover!
Our marriage was not to be postponed
very long. was going home for a while
frst-hohie where the news of my stipend
Gus fortune had greatly fluttered the dove
cot. Lady Martin would, | hoped, join her
husband Hlda was to return TO London,
In care of the military Cousins wife until
she became Lady Ormsby; and Gilbert and
were to settle down at the Grange, with
Uric and Annis at the Lodge. Did not life
seem pleasant as it was unrOlled before my
eyes? Could my hook be as enchanting?
So sat dreaming, with a smile on my
face, when Hilda came into the room.
She looked very fair in her mourning, and
herpale gold hair shOne in contrast to the long
black dress that trailed after her. But dur
ing all the months had been at the Grange
she had never spoken to me pleasantly; the
sapphire eyes had never SOftcned, nor the
proud curve Of the mouth grown gracious
for me. Now, as she advanced and stood
opposite to me, she fixed those eyes on my
face with CLEAN like the glitter Of bright
steel; but there was a slight tremor in her
bell-like voice.
II think 1t fair to tell you, Miss ThOrne,"
she began-she never called me NiOla-'that
you may possibly be resting on false security
at present, and that in a short time you will
find the scene changed. i tell you this that
you may be prepared TO hear from my law
yer, and also that you may know what
think, and that every one is not deceived by
you"
looked up at her wOnderingly.
What do you mean, Miss Farquharp l
asked.
II will tell you what l mean," she an
swered calmly. Simply this. You came
here, to find an eccentric old man and three
girls you thought, | suppose, fools. You
hunted up family quarrels, and spied into
family secrets-No; allow me to speak"
For l was about to interrupt her with
indignant anger; but l let her speak on,
holding back my wrathful words; and the
nIaaF
tense.
You shall hear me out, Miss ThOrne.
You are clever-I admit it. did not think
so at first, and | scOrned to interfere with
you; and so far you have been successful.
You exerted your influence over childish
old man by telling lies about his nieces and
betraying condolences you should have been
the last to reveal. To be safe on both sides,
you threw yourself into the way Of his
nephew, and managed him with braZen skill
too. But !, at least shall not tamely sub
nit to your success. Gilbert is befOOled,
and you have charmed Annis, child as she
is; but can act for myself and fight against
your schemes. And tell you this-that l
intend TO fight my uncle's will to the last,
and, whether lawyers and judges can or
cannot be brought to see the influence you
obtained over decrepit, half-crazed inva-
lid, you shall, at least, be better known than
you are noww
When she paused, her voice, still clear
and steady had in it the white heat Of sup
pressed rage. | was startled, bewildered,
COMPOUNDED. But | tried to answer her
quietly. | wanted TO be at peace with them
all, and Hilda was the last who held out
against me.
You do not believe what you have said,
| am quite sure, Hilda. You know Mr.. Gas
cOigne was as clear-headed as yourself; and
you know, and | know too, that he left the
Grange to me that Gilbert might have it.
did not want it; have no wish for 1t now
but for his sake. 1t is simply prepOsterOus
to suppose he would ever have bequeathed
1t to me, or that could have schemed for
such an outrageous thing. IL / have done
you any wrong, am sorry; but you have no
right to insult me by such words as those"
Insult your she cried. Il am only pre-
pairing you for what every one will say be,
fore long"
II have not sought" went on, ito learn
a single word Of your private concerns.
asked for no ones secrets; once told me,
have betrayed none. For betraying conf
dences you can hardly impugn me, you who
tried TO injure me, even at the cost Of YOU
sisters happiness, bye telling my secret
which you had learned, to your uncle"
She made no answer; but faint color
stole over her face.
you have been very hard and very cruel
TO me since l came and put myself in some
measure at your mercy, Hilda, and thought
at first you were unjust without intending
to be so. You supposed me to be every